Mobile guy derrick and counter balancing crane



Aug. 24, 1965 M. A. DECUIR 3,202,29

MOBILE GUY DERRICK AND COUNTER BALANCING CRANE Filed July 22, 1965 3Sheets-Sheet l M/ftfiV/ A. flefa/r INVENTOR.

Aug. 24, 1965 M. A. DECUIR 3,202,299

MOBILE GUY DERRICK AND COUNTER BALANCING CRANE Filed July 22., 1965 3Sheets-Sheet 2 VENTOR.

Aug. 24, 1965 M. A. DECUIR 3,202,299

MOBILE GUY DERRICK AND COUNTER BALANCING CRANE Filed July 22, 1963 3Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,292,299 MOBILE GUY DERRKCK AND COUNTER BALANQNGCRANE Mitchell A. Decuir, Beaumont, Tex., assignor to T. S. Decuir,Geisrnar, La. Filed July 22, 1963, Ser. No. 296,665 Claims. ((31. 21259) This invention relates to a combination mobile crane which issuitable for use in a plurality of ways to perform certain liftingoperations. More particularly, the invention relates to a combinationmobile crane which may be used as a counter balancing crane, or as a guycrane, or as a regular lifting crane.

There has long been a need for a mobile crane which could be used tolift exceptionally heavy weights, as for example 200 tons and more, orwhich could lift lighter weights to considerable heights, as for example400 feet, and at the same time be quickly and easily placed in operationand taken out of operation.

The prior art shows many teachings of non-mobile guy derricks which arefixedly mounted over a pivot point and then operated by a bull wheelconnected to a separate power source. Some of the great disadvantages ofthis type of guy derrick are that it is not mobile, it must belaboriously assembled and disassembled with each use, separate enginesare required as a power source, a special crane or means must be used toset it up, large numbers of heavy guy lines are required, and the like.

The prior art also teaches the use of lifting cranes utilizing singlebooms, but their use is quite limited when the lifting of exceptionallyheavy weights or great heights are contemplated since they. usuallydepend solely on a fixed counter weight.

Other prior art shows the use of two booms, but their arrangement is notin accordance with the teachings of the invention herein, with theresult that the prior art does not teach the invention herein.

United States patents which are generally illustrative of the prior artinclude:

Berger, 1,798,397, issued March 31, 1931;.Euga, 1,822,- 695, Sept. 8,1931; Lunt et al., 1,949,750, March 6, 1934; Decuir, 2,443,306, June 15,1948; Davidson et al., 2,609, 939, Sept. 9, 1952.

One of the objectives of this invention is to provide a mobilecombination crane which can be used as a guy crane, as a counterbalancing crane, or as a regular lifting crane.

Another objective of this invention is to provide a mobile crane whichcan be used to lift exceptionally heavy loads and/ or which can be usedto lift weights to exceptionally great heights.

A further object is to provide a mobile guy crane which can quickly andeasily be placed in operation and which has a self-contained powersource for the operation of the crane and which requires a minimumnumber of guy lines.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a crane which acts asa counter balance to permit the lifting of exceptionally heavy weights.

These and other objectives will be evident by reference to thedescription herein and the accompanying drawings.

Briefly stated, the invention is a mobile crane having a platform or cabmounted for horizontal rotation on mobile support means such as acrawler tractor or a truck. An upright mast is pivotally mounted on theplatform or cab and is adapted to rotate with the platform or cab and topivotally move through a vertical arc. Means are provided on the cab formoving the mast through the vertical arc.

A boom is pivotally mounted adjacent to the lower end of the mast forraising and lowering through a second vertical arc and for rotation withthe platform and the mast.

3,21, 2,29? Patented Aug". 24, 1965 The term pivotally mounted adjacentto the lower end of the mast is used to mean that the boom may bepivotally attached to the lower end of the mast or the boom may beseparately and pivotally mounted on the platform, but in either event,the boom still rotates with the platform and the mast when the platformis rotated horizontally.

Means are secured to upper portion of the mast'for elevating andlowering of the boom, which movement may be independent of the movementof the mast.

Means are also secured to the upper portion of the boom for attaching toand lifting a load which is to be supported or lifted.

The cab or platform has a self-contained power means which supplies thepower for raising and lowering the mast and boom, for lifting the load,and for rotating the platform of cab on the mobile support means. Insome instances, the power means may also be adapted to providelocomotion to the mobile support means.

The invention is illustrated by the drawings wherein the same numeralsrefer to corresponding parts and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation View of the crane of this invention showingits use as a counter balancing crane.

FIG. 2 is aside elevation view of the crane of this in vention beingused as'a guy crane.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation view partially brokenaway showing the lower portions of the crane with the mast being used asa counter balancing crane as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation view of the upperportion of the mast when the crane is being used as a guy crane as shownin FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side elevation View of the upper portion of theboom shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.v

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the crane of this inti on wherein theboom has been removed and the mast is used as an ordinary lifting crane.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the crane of this invention whereinthe mast has been removed and the boom is used as an ordinary liftingcrane.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is generally shown the mobile crane of thisinvention used as a counter balancing crane with a platform or cab 11mounted for horizontal rotation on mobile support means convenientlyshown in the form of crawler 12. Pivotally mounted on cab 11 forrotation therewith are mast 13 and boom 14.

Mast 13 is raised, lowered, and otherwise moved through a vertical areby operation of topping lift 17, the lower portion of which is connectedto a gantry indicated generally by numeral 16. The upper portion of,topping lift 17 is secured to mast pennant cable 18 secure at its upperend to the top of mast 13.

Boom 14 is raised, and lowered through a vertical are by operation oftopping lift 19.

Means for supporting and lifting the load is attached to the upperportion of boom 14 in the form of fall 21? which supports travelingblock 21 and hook 22. 1

When exceptionally heavy loads are to belifted additional weight may besuspended from mast 13, such as supplemental weight 23 supported bycable 24. In this case weight 23 would be raised a small distance abovethe ground surface so that Weight 23 would swing freely during rotationof cab 11.

Reference to FIG. 3 will show certain elements of the crane in greaterdetail. Mast 13 is pivotally mounted on cab 11 by mast pin 26. The lowerportion of mast 13 is provided with a projection or lug27 to which boom14 is hinged by means of hinge pin 28. The load is supported or liftedby the operation of load line 29 being passed over load drum 31connected to a power source (not shown) mounted in cab 11.

As explained above, mast 13 is raised and lowered through a vertical areby operation of topping lift 17.

arms 32 so that they may pivot thereon'during operation of the crane.Straps 35 are connected at their upper ends by horizontal rod 41 onwhich sheaves 36 are mounted for rotation,- Which sheaves form a part oftopping lift 17. The upper .portion of topping lift 17 is formed bysheave 38 mounted in a pair of straps 37, the, upper portions of whichare connected to the top of mast '13 by mast pennant cable 18, as shownin FIGS. 3 and l.

Mast 13 is caused to be raised, lowered and otherwise moved through-avertical are by operation of mast line 39 passing over sheaves 36 and 38and being wound on and off of mast drum 4t), connected to a power means(not shown) mounted in cab 11.

It' is to be understood that many other gantry means are known to theart and may be used in this invention. For example, topping lift 17could be mounted below gantry arm 32 and attached to the back .of cab 11and still operate successfully.

' Means for raising and'lowering boom 14 through another vertical arc isattached to the top mast 13 and takes the form of topping lift 19 asshown in FIG. 1,

which is operated by means of boom line 51 being wound on and oft ofboom drum 52, connected to a power means (not shown) mounted in cab 11.

It will be observed that cab 11, during rotationina I horizontal plane,will have a center of rotation indicated by perpendicular dotted line53-53 passing therethrough. i

The top portion of boom 14, as best seen in FIG. 5, is formed withhammer head boom tip 54 having sheaves 55 and 56, mounted therein. by alower block having a pair of link arms 57 secured at one end to hammerhead boom tip 54 and the other end to sheave 58. The load-is movablyattached by hook 22 secured to traveling block 21, and raised andlowered.

by fall 20, which is operated by load line 29 passing over sheaves'SSand 56 and over load drum 31.

The details of the upper portion of topping lift 19 are best shown inFIG. 4, wherein an'upper block is formed by a pair of link arms 66,secured at one end to mast 13 and the other end to sheave. 67.

The upper portion of mast 13 is also provided with sheaves 68 and 69over which boom line 51 passes to operate topping lift 19, and therebyraise and lower boom 14 independent of the movement of mast 13 as shownin FIG. 4. Thus by operation of boom drum 52, boom line 51 is caused towind on and off,'thus pivotally raising and lowering boom 14.

Referring to FIG. 2, the crane of this invention is shown being operatedas a guy crane. In this operation, the top of mast 13 is placedvertically over the center of rotation of cab 11. This is best shown inFIG. 4, where the line 5353 is the same line as line 5353 in FIGS. 2 and3.

The top portion of mast 13 is provided with head block 71 which has adisc or spider 72 pivotally attached thereto by pivot pin 73.

When the crane is operated as :a guy crane, a plurality Topping lift 19is formedbe modified for use as a regular lifting crane by removing themast, then supporting boom 14 by mast pennant cable 18, and securingfall 20 to hammer head boom tip 54 of boom 14.

In operating the crane as a counter balancing crane as shown in FIGS. 1and 3, mast 13 is rotated backward through a vertical are by operationtopping lift 17 and mast drum 40.. Hence, mast line 39 is wound ontodrum 49, thereby. exerting additional tension on mast pennant cable '18,which causes mast 13to be pivoted to its rearward position.

At the same time as mast 13 is moved rearward, fall 19 will be extendedso that boom 14 will continue to balance mast 13. Then by securing aload to hook 22 and drawing upward on fall 20 by operation of load line29. over. load drum 31, the load can be moved. Mast 13 acts as a counterbalancing means by displacing the center of gravity of crawler 12rearward of what it would otherwise Thus, greater loads may be liftedwithout danger of be. tipping thecrane over. As explained above, in someinstances additional counter balancing weight may be added in the formof weight 23 which may be secured to mast 13 by support cable 24. Withweight 23 raised a short distance off the ground surface, it will swingwith the This then allowsv the crane during horizontal rotation.operator to move even larger loads.

With mast 13 then in the rearward position, boom 14 can be manipulatedby the operation of boom drum 52, drawing boom1line 51 thereover, thusoperating topping lift 19 to pivotally raise and lower boom 14 through avertical arc. Since,.both mast 13 and boom 14 are mounted on cab. 11 forrotation therewitlnthe crane has great versatility to move great weightsto great heights without danger of upsetting the crane. In fact, suchlarge Weights may be lifted, that it may be desirable to place temporarysupports under cab 11 to prevent damage to crawler 12.

When the crane of this invention is being used as a counter balancingcrane, a problem arises when mast 13 is placed in the rearward positionand boom 14 is then raised above a certain height. Inthe operation ofregular lifting cranes, as for example, operating the crane of the thatmast 13 over balanced boom 14, in which eventthe mast 13 and boom 14might tip over.

To obviate this problem, there is provided anautomatic safety mast stop,best shown in FIG. 3. This mast,

stop is comprised of a pair of hinged members mounted on the sides ofmast 13 and boom 14 and operatively connected together.

pivotally connected. to the ,lower end of boom 14 by pivot pin 43 andthe upper rearward" end is hingedly con-.-

nected to the upperend of upper arm 44 by hinge pin 45. Upper arm 44 ispivotally connected toward its upper end to mast'13 by pivot pin 46.Thelower end of upper arm 44 is provided with a stop member, such as aroller or wheel 47, whichis arranged to contact inclined member 48,secured to the top of cab 11. Mem ber 48 is in an inclined plane, theangle of which is selected with respect to upper arm 44 and forearm 42and their respective connections, such that when the boom '(without aload supported thereon) and mast'are moved rearward to the criticalpoint Where themast 13.

is likely to over balance boom 14, and tip over to:the rear is likely tooccur, further such movement is stopped by wheel 47 contacting inclinedmember48, This contacting (and stopping of rearward movement) will onlyoccur when boom 14 and mast 13 are approachingthe critical tip overposition, thus preventing tip over, but

Each hinged member. is provided. with a forearm 42, the lower forwardend of which is.

leaving the operation of the crane at all othertime unimpaired. It is tobe understood that this automatic safety mast stop is easily removableso that the crane either mast 13 and/ or boom 14 would be stoppedbecause wheel 47 is contacting inclined member 48. However, if mast 13were raised toward the vertical position by letting out mast line 39,then boom 13 could be raised toward the vertical position by taking upon boom line 51 until wheel 47 again contacted inclined member 48. Thus,there is provided an automatic" safety element which may be usedoptionally in connection with the crane of this invention.

. FIGS. 2 and -4 show the crane of this invention being used as a guycrane. In this operation, mast 13 is pivoted into a vertical position sothat the centerof spider 72 is at a point which is perpendicular toaline running through the center of rotation of cab 11, which line isindicated by line 5353 in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. 'A plurality of guy lines 74are attached toispider 72 by clevises 75, with the guy lines beingsecured at their lower end,

thus preventing tipping of mast 13. One advantage in this operation isthat crawler 12 can beeasily manipulated to place the center of rotationof cab '11 under the center of spider 72. Furthermore, the crane itselfcan raise mast 13 into position withouttheneed for a separate crane orraising means.

Thus, the guy-crane canbe placed in operation much more quickly andeasily than a regular guy derrick such as shown in US. Patent No.2,443,306. The present invention provides a guy crane which is highlymobile'in comparison with regular guy derricks and fewer guy lines arerequired because of the weight of the cab 11 (with its existing counterweight) and crawler 12 will balance a considerable portion of the weightbeing lifted.

When operating as a guy crane, the power means (not shown) located incabvll is also used to rotate cab 11, and hence thereby rotate mast 13and boom 14 therewith. No separate engine and bull wheel is required torotate mast 13, as is required in regular guy derricks. Thus, the powersource in the crane of this invention is self-contained and is used tooperate the lifting of the load and to provide movement of boom14through a vertical arc during raising and lowering. Also, the powersource provides-for movement of mast 13 through another vertical arcduring operation, which vertical arc extends on both sides of a pointperpendicular to the center of rotation of cab 11, since mast 13 isinitially raised upwardly from a position in front of crawler 12. Thesame power means is also used to rotate cab 11 as explained above andmay also be used to power the mobile means, such as crawler 12;

There is thus provided a. guy crane which is highly mobile and which canbe set up more quickly and easily than regular guy derricks.

The crane of this invention will also. permit the lifting of greaterweights to greater heights than has heretofore been possible with cranesof a given size. 7 I 7 Many modifications of the crane of thisinvention' may be made and still fall Within the scope of the invention.Referring to FIG. 3, for example, boom 14 need not be mounted on thelower end of mast 13 as shown in FIG. 3, but may be mounted separatelyon cab 11, so long as it will pivot through a vertical arc and willrotate with cab 11 and mast 13.

Also, the lower end of mast 13 may be positioned a rotation ofcab 11 asexplained above. 'Since the-angle between the long axisof mast .13'andthe horizontal axis of cab 11 willremain constant, the guy crane willoperate successfully with spider -72 pivoting on top of mast 13.

,In the preferred form of the invention, mast 13 'is of a greater lengththan boom 14,'so that during, operation as,

a guy crane, boom 14 may berotated with cab 11 a full circle and overthe full radius of movement without striking guy lines 74. 'I

Oneof the advantagesof having a relatively long mast and particularlywhen the mast is of a greater length than the boom, is that the anglebetween thattoppin'g lift which is connected to the'top of the boom andthe boom itself is generally much greater than prior art cranes. Theresult is that the compression-forces on theboomare thereby decreased,-hence increasing the capacity of existing booms and also permitting muchlonger booms with less compression force thereon. For example, ifreference were .made to FIG. 2, and if it were assumed that mast 13 andboom.14 were of equal length and that boom 14 wereloweredtothehoriiontal position, the smallest angle between topping lift'19 and boom 14 would be 45 degrees. Since this would generallyrepresent'the extreme condition, it may generally be said thatthisinvention permits the operation of aboom by a'topping lift such thatthe angle therebetv'lee'n isgenerally: greater than about'45 degreesduring such operation. 7 j i 5 Thisinven'tion provides the art with ahighly versatile, combination mobile crane. It permits thelifting andbandling of greater loads to greater heights than has heretofore beenpossible with cranes of a given size.

Further modifications maybe made in theinvention as particularlydescribed without departing from thescope of the invention. Accordingly,the foregoing description is to be construed illustratively only and isnot'to be construed as a limitation upon theinvention as defined in thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Acrane comprising: Y Y

platform mounted for generally horizontal rotation on mobile supportmeans, a mast pivotally mounted on said platform for rotation with saidplatform and for pivotal movement through a first vertical arc, i Ipower meansmounted .on said platform'for pivotally moving said mastthrough said first arc,

a' boom pivotally mountedadjacenti'the lower end of said mast forrotation with said platformland said mast and for pivotalmovementthrough-a second ,vertical arc,- r means connected to said mast formoving said boom through said second are independent of the movement ofsaid mast through said first arc, and attaching means rotatably mountedon said mast for securing guy means thereto duringoperation as a guyedcrane. 1 f 2.,The apparatus as claimedin claim 1 wherein; said attachingmeans is mounted near the upper end of saidmast. V i Q. 3. The apparatusas claimed in cljaimjldwherein:

said attaching means is.in the form of a'spider mem- V ber mounted ontop of said mast. 4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said boom is mounted on saidmast i 5. Theapparatus as claim" 'd in claim1 wherein:

said' boom is mounted on said platform and spaced apart from the lowerend of said mast.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including:

a pulley means attached to the upper portion of said boom and having theload line thereof connected to said power means for raising and loweringa load independent of the movement of said boom. 7. The apparatus asclaimed in claim 1 including: pulley means attached to the upper portionof said boom for raising and lowering a load and having the .11.. Acrane comprising: i p

"a platform mounted for .1 generally horizontal rotation attachingmeansrotatably mast for securing guy meansthereto during opera-,

loadline thereof vconnected to said power means. and

' running, generally parallel'with thelong axis of said boom? 7, M 8."The apparatus. as claimed in'claim 1 wherein:

: v said second vertical arc extends 'through the same general verticalplane as said first vertical arc;

I 9. Theapparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said mast is'of az'greater length than the length of said boom 10,Theapparatus as claimed in claim l wherein:

said meansconnected to said mast for moving said boom is a toppinglift'attached near the upper endof said mast and forms'an angle greaterthan 45 degrees withrespect to said boom. H v

' on mobile support means,

a mast pivotally mounted on said latf orm for rotation;

meansconnected to the upper portion of said mast for moving said boomthrough said second'vertical arc independent of the movement of saidmast through saidfirst arc,

mounted near the top of said tion asa guyedderrick','and pulley meansattached to the upper portion of said for pivotally;

boom for raising and loweringa load and having the load line thereofconnected to said power means and running generally parallel withthelong axis of said ,Jboomy 12 Aerane comprising; 1 a platform mountedfor horizontal support means,

" a' mast pivotally mounted on said platform for rotation withsaidplatform and for pivotal movement through a firstvertical are extending.on bothsides ofa point:

rotation ;on mobile located perpendicular to'the centerof rotation ofsaid 7 platform, 7 P power means mounted onsaid platform for pivotally imoving said mast through said first are,

' means. for supporting a load on'said mast as a counter operation as acounter balancing balance during crane," a v i, a boompiv'otallymounte'd adjacent the lower eudof said mast for rotation withsaid platform and said 1,

mast and for pivotal. vertical arc, a n V 7 means, connected to saidmast for moving'saidf boom through, said second arcxindependent of themovement' of said mast through said first arc, and means connected, to

thereon. i I 13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12 including: mastandxboom stop means attached to the lower ends movement through asecond;

said boom for supporting a load ,tacting a portion of said platform, tothereby limit the rearward movement of ,said boom and mast beyond arearward tip over point during operation as a counter balancing crane.

14. Theapparatusas claimed in claim 12 wherein: said means connectedto=saidboom for supportinga load thereon includes pulley means attachedto the upper portion of said boom for. raising and lowering a load andwherein the load line thereof is connected 1 to said power means andruns generally parallel with;

the longfaxis of said boom. 15. A crane fing crane and as a guyedderrick comprising:

a platform mounted forzgenerally horizontal rotation on mobilesupportmeans,

a mast pivotally mountedon said platform for rotation perpendicular tothe center of rotation of said platform, a

power means mounted ,on said platform for pivotally.

V moving said mast through said first arc,

means for supporting a counter balancing load on said mast duringoperation as a counter balancing crane, a boom" pivotally mountedadjacent'the lower end of 'said mastrfor rotation with said platform andsaid mast and for pivotal movement through a second. vertical are whichsecond arc extends. through the. 7

same generalvertical plane as said first arc,

1 means connected to the-upper portion of said mast for moving said boomthrough said second vertical arc independent of the movement of saidmast through said firstarc,

attaching means rotatably mounted; near the top of said. mast forsecuringguy means thereto during operation as a guyed derrick, and

pulley means connected to said boom. for raising and V l lowering aload, and having the load line thereof connected' to said power meansand running generally parallel with the long axis of said boom.

References Cited the Examiner Y UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/34 Lunt' et a1.2l2--58 2/36 Ruff 2l258 4/40 6/48 ,Decuir 2l2'47 1' Burton-u; 2l2'-592,734,641 2/56 Burton 2lZ.-7

, 2,937,726, j 7 5/ Walther et a1. 212,58 I References Cited by theApplicant.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,798,397 3/31 Berger.

' 1,822,695 9/31 Euga.

1,949,750 3/34 Lunt et all 2,443,306 6/148" Decuir. 2,609,939: 9/52.Davidson etJal.

SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Primary Examiner. ANDRES NIELSEN, "Examiner.

of said mast and boom and having means for conadaptable to operation asa counter balance therewith and'for 'pivotal'movement through a.firs'tvertical arc extending on both sides of a point located Waite2l2-l44

1. A CRANE COMPRISING: A PLATFORM MOUNTED FOR GENERALLY HORIZONTALROTATION ON MOBILE SUPPORT MEANS, A MAST PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAIDPLATFORM FOR ROTATION WITH SAID PLATFORM AND FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENTTHROUGH A FIRST VERTICAL ARC, POWER MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID PLATFORM FORPIVOTALLY MOVING SAID MAST THROUGH SAID FIRST ARC, A BOOM PIVOTALLYMOUNTED ADJACENT THE LOWER END OF SAID MAST FOR ROTATION WITH SAIDPLATFORM AND SAID MAST AND FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT THROUGH A SECONDVERTICAL ARC, MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID MAST FOR MOVING SAID BOOM THROUGHSAID SECOND ARC INDEPENDENT OF THE MOVEMENT OF SAID MAST THROUGH SAIDFIRST ARC, AND ATTACHING MEANS ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID MAST FORSECURING GUY MEANS THERETO DURING OPERATION AS A GUYED CRANE.